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Lakers expect Xavier Henry to sit out for another four weeks

After feeling additional soreness in the lateral meniscus in his right knee, Lakers forward Xavier Henry will sit out for approximately four more weeks.

Henry is scheduled today to have fluid removed from his knee and to receive a cortisone shot in hopes of reducing the swelling. The Lakers had already faced plenty of long-term injuries to Kobe Bryant (left knee), Pau Gasol (right groin), Nick Young (left knee), Jordan Hill (left hamstring) and Jodie Meeks (right ankle). Steve Nash also won’t play when the Lakers host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday at Staples Center, while Steve Blake will labor through pain in his right elbow.

“It doesn’t get any better,” Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said. “You hate it for him because he’s trying to establish himself and he was having ag ood year. Hopefully there will be enough games left for when he comes back.”

Henry, who has missed the past 22 games, had become a pleasant surprise morphing from a training camp invitee to a dependable wing player and averaging 10.4 points. But according to the Lakers’ latest timetable, Henry would miss 12 more games with matchups against Oklahoma City (Feb. 13), Houston (Feb. 19), Boston (Feb. 21), Brooklyn (Feb. 23), Sacramento (Feb. 28), at Portland (March 3), New Orleans (March 4), Clippers (March 6), Denver (March 7) and Oklahoma City (March 9).

“It’s tough. We could use the way he plays,” Lakers guard Steve Blake said. “He’s a tough, strong kid and works hard and doesn’t take plays off and attacks the basket and gets to the free throw line. Those are all things we can use right now. He has to look out for himself and do what’s best for him.”

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